And look at her now:
She'll be 9 this summer. One more year of the single digit birthday. That doesn't seem possible!

I've met some wonderful people through blogging - and even some "IRL". Although a lot of the people I 'met' the first couple of years don't seem to be blogging anymore; I often wonder what happened to them. Also seems most of us have migrated over to FB!

I finally figured out what I'm going to do to celebrate individuals with Down syndrome (besides going to Kayla's school and talking with her class!).

My giveaway will be from the businesses of two individuals who have Down syndrome. One winner (picked on 3/21) will win a set of cards from Kardz by Kenz and another winner will receive a pendant from KK Glass Art. I bought a pendant from her booth this past summer at the NDSC convention and get so many comments on it!

But that's not all.

For doing something extra I will be making a donation to the Plus 15 campaign, because on Mar 21 my donation will be matched 3:1.

And you all are going to help me make that donation ... or the amount anyway! I will donate a dollar for every comment left on this post. So if I get 25, then my $25 donation will turn into $100.

Since this is about World Down Syndrome Day I'd love it if your comment would include something about Down syndrome ... like if your perception of Ds has changed (hopefully for the positive!) since reading my blog and "knowing" Kayla. Or what you might have learned from us. If you've been a long-time reader I'd love to know if you're still lurking/reading! And if you're a newer reader I'd love to know how you found my blog! Or if you have any questions for me, please feel free to ask!

55 comments:

Happy Blogiversary! I can't believe Kayla is almost in double digits! Or that I've been reading your blog for almost 5 years. That time went by fast! Congrats and know that I will be thinking of you all on WDSD.

Happy Blogiversary! You are a little further in the life of DS than we are...I love reading about Kayla and I have loved the pics you have been posting on fb. They have helped me look into the future for Hailey. Thank you for that!

Happy Blogiversary! I'm so glad you started blogging or I would have never "met" you. I just discovered another great blog about someone, in this case two someones, with Down syndrome, Confessions of the Chromosomally Enhanced. Really good blog. :)

Happy Blogiversary dear Michelle!! I hadn't realized that we had started blogging pretty much at the same time:-) Blogging certainly has enriched my life and the friendships made are priceless.

I'll never forget the first time I visited your blog and learned about Kayla. I fell in love with her the minute I saw her picture:-) I didn't know much about Down Syndrome but you have opened my eyes and educated me, for which I am very thankful.

I've been so bad at commenting lately but I always do read your posts:-) xoxo

You know, I can't even recall how I got to your blog, but I know that I've been reading it since Kayla has been probably 3 1/2. I've read tales about trips, moving, schooling, military and more. You've taught us all about Ds and because of your blog, I feel a bit more informed.

I think it's great that you're donating to the Plus 15 campaign and wanted to add another $1. My son was born with Ds in November and I started a blog to update family while he was in the hospital for 4 weeks after birth - it's since changed to a photo blog of him. When I started the blog, I looked for others that might be sharing their stories and your profile came up. I've been following ever since. Glad there are others that I can get some insight as I start my journey. Thanks for the inspiration!!

Hi. awwwwith Kayla at 2yrs old .:) and the almost 9 yr.old!! love the pic. What I have learned is: do not ever underestimate the intelligence and the accomplishments of a child who happens to have "the extra chromosome". Kayla can think ,learn, and accomplish so much!! And I give credit to the parents who are the wind beneath their children!! love Mom/Memaw/ Happpy anniversary!!

It's really been 6 years! Wow it sure doesn't seem like it. Of course the fact that I'm going to have a 9 year old granddaughter is mind blowing too LOL

Before our family was blessed with Kayla I knew very little about Ds and honestly never thought about it. Since her birth that has all changed. I'm more aware and I've learned an awful lot. For me though the biggest thing that has happened is in my perception. We all have in our minds what perfect means and is. Well I'm here to tell you what I thought "perfect" was or meant has totally changed. In my world now I look at Kayla and she defines what "perfect" is to me.

I probably did a lousy job of expressing my feelings but I just want you to know that in my heart Kayla is the perfect granddaughter and God has blessed us and everyone she meets.

Happy Blogiversary! I have checked in on your blog for about two years now. My son Ben is eight and will be nine in May-- he too was blessed with Down Syndrome. I love to see what is going on with Kayla and your family and hear of her accomplishments-- she seems to be doing great!-- I also get a kick out of the things that you post that are Lucas's take on life-- I have heard many similar gems spoken by my own kids and they are always priceless.

I first started reading your blog after clicking on a link to Kayla's birth story. Your blog opened up a whole world I didn't know about, and I now follow many blogs - not just on families with a child with down syndrome, but also adopting families. Through this, I have been inspired to adopt myself one day! Happy Blogiversary!

I have been mostly a lurker. In October 2008 I started blogging about Kristen's battle with leukemia. I found many friends here who have supported me. I feel like we have developed a little blog family. It seems when someone needs help or encouragement we all jump on board and carry them a while. I know I was carried by all my Ds blogging friends. I LOVE children with Down syndrome. I know they are some of the most choice children on the face of the earth. I just wish we could get society to see their beauty. My something extra for World Down syndrome day started on March 1st. I chose to spotlight a child each day from Reeces rainbow. It has been great fun and I feel like I have shared the faces of many children waiting for a family.

I've been following your blog for a while now - I started reading a bunch of blogs when I was pregnant with my 2nd daughter. We were told after the nuchal fold test that she had a 1 in 7 chance of having Ds but it turned out being a form of dwarfism instead. I still follow a bunch of "special needs" blogs even though my daughter's dwarfism is purely a physical disability - and it has opened up another "world" to me - one that I was actively ignoring before it "could have been me". Thanks for sharing your journey with us!!

I love the honesty and openness of your blog. I first started reading your blog about 3 years ago. This blog has really opened my eyes and made me realise it is not about seeing somebody with Ds or any disability and “responding appropriately” it is about just getting to know people as individuals. In your “Coming Full Circle Article January 17 2012, you were so wonderfully open and honest talking about just after Kayla’s birth in the hospital and “Most of the time I would look at her eyes and all I saw was "Down syndrome" like a neon light flashing off and on.” I love your honesty in writing this, because that was an issue I had that all I could see was Ds, this has changed because of your blog so thank you thank you thank you. Through all your wonderful writing and family pictures of Kayla I have learnt about Kayla the individual, and my eyes are now open and when I’m down the street or whatever and see somebody who has a disability I see the person first and will say hello if it feels right - what a wonderful gift your blog is.

This is actually the first time I've read your blog. Came to it via Twitter as I sit here in the hospital waiting for my daughter to wake up. It's the beginning of her first ever Down syndrome awareness week, since she was born in October, but now the only thing happening with us is that hopefully her O2 sats stay up without additional oxygen (a horrible spout of viral bronchitis) and we'll be going home. I will be coming back to you though, once things calm down. I also blog about her (or recently spun off a blog about her from my actual drivel of everyday expat- life) at http://www.utterlyunpublishedauthorsdaughter.blogspot.com

Michelle, thank you so much for this -- how generous! We appreciate all you do to support plus15, of course, but we're also grateful for everything you do to support the DS community and to foster awareness. Happy blogiversary -- long may you continue!

First, I can hardly believe Kayla will be turning 9!! I've been hanging around your blog for a very long time and it was those lovely blueberry eyes that attracted me a long time ago during a blog carnival.

You and Kayla and your sweet family have taught me so much about Ds and about life in general. Beautiful people--that's what you are!

Thank you for this opportunity to participate in some small way with your giving.

Happy Blogiversary Michelle! Yours was one of the very first blogs I came across - and yes it used to be such a vibrant mix of bloggers... full of wonderful snippets from everyone's lives. What a great idea to celebrate WDSD. I can hardly believe how much Kayla has grown - and scored a gorgeous little brother on the way too :)

Happy Blogiversary to you, too! It's our blogiversary over at Ty's Adventures, too! We love, love, love how you're celebrating & will def pass it along! Like you & so many other proud families, we are very passionate about Plus15 & DSRTF, hence our AppMo2012 project.

So happy to have bumped into you Facebook! Hope you pop by our blog to help us celebrate WDSD & our Blogiversary as well!

Just found your blog today and will love catching up! Your kids are adorable, I love Kayla's name. Came over from Love that Max blog that I discovered a few weeks ago. When I was a teenager I frequently babysat a little boy with Ds, Matthew. That was way back in 1970 I guess. He was a fantastic little boy who brought our neighborhood much happiness. I think about he and his family still. You have inspired me to get out and volunteer again, this time with developmentally disabled adults in my community. Thank you!

Happy blogiversary! You are an amazing advocate! Keep it up Michelle! I have many folks (adults and children) with DS in my life and I feel exceptionally lucky that they have chosen me as a friend and/or family! -Amber Rosenbaum

Happy Blogiversary to you and your beautiful family! My twin grandsons are not quite 5. One was born with Down Syndrome and I knew from the first second that he was a blessing for our family. I never questioned it. He is the dearest and sweetest little boy ever! (Well his brother is pretty cool, too!)Keep doing what you're doing! Thank you for the donation!

My nephew Chase is a child born with Down syndrome. He is truly an inspiration to our whole family. He has brought us closer together and taught us not to sweat the little things and to cheer for every little thing. Chase is 3. He is handsome, goofy, extremely busy and curious, a world class climber, and an ace at signing. I made it my mission to learn as much about Down syndrome as I could when Chase was born. I am a champion for those with special needs and am working hard to wipe out the "R" word. Thank you for your blog and helping people to realize that kids are kids, no matter what. Thank you for the contribution you are making.

Happy Blogiversary! My grandson, Rhett, is the love of my life. He is 14 months old and spent the first 6 weeks of his life in the NICU for low blood sugar as a result of his mother not being diagnosed with gestational diabetes. How does that happen? It's amazing just how much I've learned over the past 14 months. Now I want to educate the world! Going to a WDSD event tomorrow evening.

happy Blogiversary! I am a grandmother who 18 years ago "God" decided to give us a child with DS. What a blessing it has been. Now, my grandson is graduating from High School in June! I just started reading your blog and you do such a wonderful job ;)

Our oldest daughter is 5 and has DS. Today, coincidentally on WDS day, we went to her Montessori school for our semi-annual parent-teacher conference. The comment of the day from the teacher was "She's just like any other 5 year old in the class." Made my day.

I'm so glad that you linked me to your blog. Your sweet girl is absolutely gorgeous! Thank you for sharing from the heart; your honesty makes me feel less alone on this Ds journey I've only really just begun.

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